I don't know about that package, but I will say that these are two fairly logical dance partners. Atlanta is slipping near disaster and Kovalchuk almost looked like he had given up last night against Philly.

The Pens brass may not agree with the folks on here who say it's still early. I would find it hard to imagine that Atlanta is looking to move the only true star that they have, but I could agree with Staal being in the package.

When does Kovalchuk's deal expire? If it is this year or next than I say no way, unless he will agree to an extension that would replace the drain on the cap we anticipated for Staal. If he takes what we were offering Hossa, then I would do it in a minute. He has to be starving to win. You can feel his frustration through the TV screen.

As much as I would love to see Kovalchuk on this team...I don't know. It is a lot to give up. I could live with giving up Staal, Satan and a pick but adding Letang makes it quite a bit to give up. But like Samsdog said, it IS Don Waddell, so I doubt you'd even have to give up Letang.

I don't know about that package, but I will say that these are two fairly logical dance partners. Atlanta is slipping near disaster and Kovalchuk almost looked like he had given up last night against Philly.

The Pens brass may not agree with the folks on here who say it's still early. I would find it hard to imagine that Atlanta is looking to move the only true star that they have, but I could agree with Staal being in the package.

When does Kovalchuk's deal expire? If it is this year or next than I say no way, unless he will agree to an extension that would replace the drain on the cap we anticipated for Staal. If he takes what we were offering Hossa, then I would do it in a minute. He has to be starving to win. You can feel his frustration through the TV screen.

At some point an offensive d-man will be dumped, whether it's Gonch when his contract expires or one of the other ones. I don't like the idea of giving up Letang, but nor do I like the idea of letting Gonch go when his contract expires. Paradox, paradox. He'll be harder to obtain than Hossa, Waddell has until next season's trade deadline to wait for the perfect offer. Doubt Shero will be able to give what will be required at this point, and for very good reason. He's a smart guy, that RS.

Samsdog wrote:At some point an offensive d-man will be dumped, whether it's Gonch when his contract expires or one of the other ones. I don't like the idea of giving up Letang, but nor do I like the idea of letting Gonch go when his contract expires. Paradox, paradox. He'll be harder to obtain than Hossa, Waddell has until next season's trade deadline to wait for the perfect offer. Doubt Shero will be able to give what will be required at this point, and for very good reason. He's a smart guy, that RS.

Waddell may get more for Kovalchuk this year because he is still on the books through next year, so whoever is trading for him is reassured that they're getting him for more than a year rental.

If it were just Staal, Satan, and a pick I'd pull the trigger in a heartbeat. Add in Gogo or Letang and I'd consider it. That's probably why I'm not a Gm though. I always get greedy when it comes to high talent goal scorers.

Samsdog wrote:At some point an offensive d-man will be dumped, whether it's Gonch when his contract expires or one of the other ones. I don't like the idea of giving up Letang, but nor do I like the idea of letting Gonch go when his contract expires. Paradox, paradox. He'll be harder to obtain than Hossa, Waddell has until next season's trade deadline to wait for the perfect offer. Doubt Shero will be able to give what will be required at this point, and for very good reason. He's a smart guy, that RS.

Gonch is not going anywhere. He is all too important, and I can see him sticking around at a cheaper price beyond his contract.

Hmmm...Kovalchuk for the next 2 years? I mean, there's likely no way he'd be able to fit under the cap here when his contract was up. An extension would be great, but I don't see it happening for less than 7.5 mil, which would be a stretch for this team...

ams wrote:Hmmm...Kovalchuk for the next 2 years? I mean, there's likely no way he'd be able to fit under the cap here when his contract was up. An extension would be great, but I don't see it happening for less than 7.5 mil, which would be a stretch for this team...

Remember we offered Hossa even more than that. Damn you, Hossa, why did you do this to me. Er, us.

Agreed. In your heart of hearts you know that it can't happen but hell if it isn't fun to pretend and imagine for a while. Yeah salary cap, yeah balance, but can't hurt to have a little fun with it as long as you know where the line is.

Agreed. In your heart of hearts you know that it can't happen but hell if it isn't fun to pretend and imagine for a while. Yeah salary cap, yeah balance, but can't hurt to have a little fun with it as long as you know where the line is.

I'd love to have this happen but at the same time I'm not gonna be mad or let down if it doesn't. Now if I see Kovalchuk to Canadiens or something then I'll be ticked.